A God with ears

"Oh God!" people exclaim in times of surprise or trouble. It doesn't seem to matter if we're religious or not. An appeal to God seems a natural outburst when we are overtaken by life.

Christians use God's name in sincere thanksgiving or appeal: "Thank God!" when something goes well, or "Dear God!" when we need help.

Sometimes I explain that I'm not taking God's name in vain when I speak God's name aloud. His name is no mere comma or exclamation point in the chatter of the moment. Rather, we're continuing our ongoing conversation. He speaks and I listen. I speak and I know he hears me, too.

A Jewish prophet exclaimed that people used half of a stump of wood as firewood and the rest as a symbol for worship. They carved a bowl from one end ... and an idol from the other.

Then they expected help from the gods by venerating the piece of wood they'd crafted. "Idiots!" says Isaiah (my paraphrase.)

"[Wood] is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.

Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, "Ah! I am warm; I see the fire." From the rest he makes a god, his idol he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, "Save me! You are my god!" (Is. 44:15-17 NIVUK)

It's easy to condemn historical tribes for idolatry. It's harder to see where we fall into the same foolishness.

• Most American magazine photos of homes or gardens contain a "Buddha" figurine, an African mask, or Indian statue to symbolize peace and prosperity.
• People set up home altars and "tranquility corners" for meditation, furnishing them with photos, icons, or "meaningful objects."
• Here's a description from an online seller: "We specialize in manufacturing Indian God Statues as well as modern figures in various designs, shapes, colors and sizes are available. These Indian God Statues can be customized as per customers specifications. We are having enchanting collection of white marble Murtis & sculptures of Hindus God & Goddesses. These marble Indian God Statues are made from premium grade of raw material which ensure durability at its user end."
• We surround ourselves with material things, worshiping them by spending time cleaning, paying attention, and financing them.

The prophet Isaiah continues: "No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, ‘Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?’" (Is. 44:19) The obvious answer is, "Of course not!" But in practice it's rarely that simple.

Our God is not like other gods. He is not a dumb stump, a shiny metal statue, or a mute image made by human hands. He is not malleable by human whims. He cannot be manipulated into our own image.

Set apart forever, God comes near to hear our prayers and exclamations. He listens to our hearts as they call out to him with pleasure, adoration, and desperate need. He stoops to His children's cries and answers.

Truly, there is no god like our God. His loving ears hear and His clear voice speaks! What does your conversation with Him sound like today?

Read more:
*Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:23 NLT

Hear, you who are far away, what I have done; and you who are near, acknowledge my might. Isaiah 33:13 NLT

*Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13 NIV

*Paul wrote: We know that God has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 NLT

Moravian Prayer: Jehovah God, you promised not to forsake us. You hear us no matter where we are and acknowledge us when we cry out to you in time of distress. When we think we are destroyed, you are there. Thank you for choosing us every day. Amen.

Lent Day 19: Out of touch? With whom?

"U.S. Catholics in Poll See a Church out of Touch" screamed the NY Times headline this morning. That got me wondering, "Out of touch with whom?"

We want a god in our own image. One who lets us do whatever pleases us but doesn't let us get hurt. One who indulges our inclination to sin but doesn't punish us for violating a higher holy nature. One who affirms but doesn't demand.

We constantly remake God to suit ourselves. Those who value wealth look for verses in scripture to support material prosperity. Those most comfortable with "black and white" thinking emphasize the commandments and legal prescriptions. Those who lean toward kindness and hoping for the best may pick out verses about God's love and forgiveness, without recognizing the justice and holiness of God.

God will always seem "out of touch" to those who rewrite his revelation. To those who want God to change when they do not want to. To those who don't want to be accountable to anyone but themselves. To those refuse to embrace the God of ALL the Bible, OT and NT, the revelation of Love and grace ... plus justice and provision for mercy.

However, God is consistent to his nature. If He never changes, how could we have missed understanding Him?

So how can we begin to know the God who was, is, and is to come?

1. Be open. God promised to make Himself known to those who earnestly seek Him with their whole heart.
2. Be active. Read scripture. Pray. Seek a community of faith with whom to explore faith. Serve other people and find out more about God as you watch Him work in others as well as in you.
3. Be willing. You'll have to change the way you assume things are. You're leaving preconceptions behind for a mind-bending adventure!
4. Be ready. The life of faith is mysterious. You'll change, day by day, year by year, decade by decade. God intends to shape you into conformity with Jesus.
5. Be in motion. Don't get stuck. When you find yourself settling into familiar patterns, attack the scriptures for new insights. Pray longer and more openly. Volunteer. Work. Embrace life!

6. And be prepared for ANYTHING! Our creative God will take you places you never dreamed. Walk you through valleys so deep and hike you up mountains so high you will be breathless with pleasure as well as pain. And some day -- when you see Him face to face -- you will recognize the one you've already learned to love and trust!

Read more:
*Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:3 NLT

*[Jesus told his disciples,] "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you." John 14:16–18

*Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3 NIV

*Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:18

Moravian Prayer: May we feel you beside us this day, God. May we be aware of how we communicate our feelings of love through more than words. Help us to make everything we do be rooted in love, an expression of love, and a witness to your love. Amen.